ZamZam Room on upper haight?

[senorshuckerman]

It has been since 1998 since I was living in S.F. Yet I lived on the Middle Haight near Buena Vista park and go periodically to the Zam Zam Room. I never got in. Usually it was closed. The two times it was open, the room was empty save for an old man who told me the bar was full. I subsequently met someone (In NY) who actually got in. She said it was a ultra querky place to go. But part of the fun was being someone who actually could go, and have a drink, and not make the bartender mad. She said that he actually owned the place, and most of the buildings on the block for that matter... I was just curious if it's still around.

[winesonoma]

It has been since 1998 since I was living in S.F.  Yet I lived on the Middle Haight near Buena Vista park and go periodically to the Zam Zam Room.  I never got in.  Usually it was closed.  The two times it was open, the room was empty save for an old man who told me the bar was full.  I subsequently met someone (In NY) who actually got in.  She said it was a ultra querky place to go.  But part of the fun was being someone who actually could go, and have a drink, and not make the bartender mad.  She said that he actually owned the place, and most of the buildings on the block for that matter... I was just curious if it's still around.

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Bruno Mooshei died on Nov 25 2000. He sold the Bar to a man named Bob Clarke and his partner Diane Epping the previous January. I always got in because I treated the man with respect. It origionally opened in 1941. I don't know if it's still there. Address is 1633 Haight St. The name was "Aub Zam Zam" witch I was told means Fountain of youth. Bruno was born in Baghdad on April 25,1920.

Edited January 21, 2005 by winesonoma (log)

[Carolyn Tillie]

Bruce, the odd little things you pull out of your hat never cease to amaze me!

Bravo.

[winesonoma]

Bruce, the odd little things you pull out of your hat never cease to amaze me!

Bravo.

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Bruno took over in 1951. I have more just ask.

[alexhills]

I LOVE THIS PLACE..... I didn't start going until maybe early 2001 so I guess I missed a more eccentric incarnation, but it's a great spot. Quiet - no or minimal music - weird weird decor, kind of a arabian nights/harem thing.... Old school bartenders mostly, mixed drinks the best way to go for sure.

[JAZ]

When I first moved to the city, I lived in the Cole Valley area of the Haight. My sister and I (and occasionally other friends) went to the Aub Zam Zam, not regularly, but several times.

Bruno was quirky, yes. Your best bet getting served was to order at the bar, preferably a martini (gin -- no such thing as a vodka martini for Bruno) or a shot if he was in an expansive mood. We were fine, as we always ordered martinis and played by his rules.

I can remember one time sitting at a table (after getting our drinks at the bar), my sister and I watched as a youngish couple came in and moved the two chairs at the table next to us so that they could sit side by side and not across from each other. Bruno came over and made them move the chairs back.

And a friend of mine likes to tell the story of taking an out-of-town business acquaintance there in the late afternoon. They had just ordered martinis when a woman at the bar used a swear word (I don't know what it was, something fairly mild, as I recall). Bruno closed the bar, saying he couldn't allow profanity from a woman in his place.

So, yes, there are stories. I'm sure he relished his reputation, but he was okay.

Now, it's still pretty old school, but you can order more than a martini. Why would you, though?

[senorshuckerman]

Bruce, thank you so much for the information.

and I guess I should go now that I can get in...but I am not sure I want to (Woody Allen get out of my head!)

When I was living there I worked at the Elite Cafe. So perhaps Bruno thought I was just one of the street folk looking for a place to spark up. Understandable considering how I looked and the street life then.

I feel sad to hear of his passing. I never really exchanged words with him....hmmm

Um the woman here(NY) who told me about it said that nobody would ever sit at the tables. So I am shocked to here of their use.

Btw -SF folk who make it to NY I thought of Aub Zam Zam after visiting Freeman's on the Lower East Side. The two are not the same, but there was a vibe that I can't name that was at both places. The difficulty with Freeman's is not getting in because it's too busy. But I would highly recomend going.